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117 Reassessing the Roles of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong UUMJLS 11(2), July 2020 (117-152) How to cite this article: Azrae, A. N. (2020). Reassessing the roles of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers in the making of international treaties. UUM Journal of Legal Studies, 11(2), 117-152. https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls.11.2.2020.8006 REASSESSING THE ROLES OF THE YANG DI-PERTUAN AGONG AND THE RULERS IN THE MAKING OF INTERNATIONAL TREATIES Ahmad Nasyran Azrae School of Law, College of Law, Government and International Studies Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia [email protected] Received: 9/1/2020 Revised: 5/5/2020 Accepted: 10/6/2020 Published: 31/7/2020 ABSTRACT Malaysia continuously negotiates, signs and ratifies international treaties to foster closer relationships with its counterparts. The Federal Constitution of Malaysia provides no direct provision in granting treaty-making capacity to a specific person(s) or institution(s). However, it may be deduced from the available provisions that such power is exercisable by the executive arm of the Federal Government. By definition, the executive includes the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is elected among the Malay Rulers by the Conference of Rulers. This paper reassesses the roles and functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers in the making of international treaties. The study was carried out using library based research method which assessed the provisions of the Federal Constitution, local case(s) and international conventions, in particular the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969. The paper delved into the available legal documents to explain the functions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers under the Federal Constitution and accordingly reassessed the legal positions of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the 117 UUMJLS 11(2), July 2020 (117-152) Rulers in the making of international treaties. The findings of this paper showed that in practice, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers have no executive powers to conclude and sign international treaties. Nonetheless, the Federal Constitution does confer certain limited powers on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Rulers that may indirectly influence the making of international treaties where their roles are normally consultative in nature. Keywords: Treaty-making, executive authority, federal constitution, international law. INTRODUCTION Malaysia pursues international cooperation with members of the international communities, which covers both States and international organizations. Malaysia became a member of the United Nations (UN), an international arena in September 1957, less than one month after achieving independence. Besides the UN, Malaysia also participated in several other key organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). At the regional level, Malaysia’s commitment towards fostering international cooperation is mainly realised through its participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since its inception in 1967. In addition, Malaysia also establishes bilateral ties with a number of country partners such as Pakistan, New Zealand, India, Chile, Australia and Turkey. This cooperation is predominantly effected through the conclusion of international treaties that spelt out the rights and duties governing the relationship between the State-parties. In the past few years, the Government had made a number of controversial decisions with regard to participating in international treaties. For instance, on 4 April 2016, the government had joined 11 other Pacific nations in signing the now discontinued Trans- Pacific Partnership Agreement (‘TPPA’).1 The TPPA was signed by 1 Howard, R. (2016, February 4). Pacific rim trade deal signed, but years of negotiations still to come. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www. reuters.com/article/us-trade-tpp/trans-pacific-partnership-trade-deal- signed-but-years-of-negotiations-still-to-come-idUSKCN0VD08S; 118 UUMJLS 11(2), July 2020 (117-152) the then Minister of International Trade and Industry despite strong opposition from different factions within the country. The TPPA perceived as harmful to the national, economic and bumiputera interests.2 Following this was the unpopular announcement from the ruling Pakatan Harapan (‘PH’) government to accede to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (‘ICERD’).3 The majority of the Malays rejected ICERD as it jeopardized the privileges of the Malay Rulers, the Malays, the bumiputeras and the religion of Islam as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.4 Conceivably, the most significant turn of events came in March 2019 when the PH government officially acceded to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 1998 (‘Rome Statute’).5 The decision Malaysia inks landmark TPPA. (2016, February 5). The Star Online. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/02/05/ malaysia-inks-landmark-tppa-it-joins-11-other-nations-in-signing- pact. 2 Lim, I. (2017, January 31). US’ withdrawal no cause for celebration with Malaysia’s anti-TPPA groups. MalayMail. Retrieved from https:// www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2017/01/31/us-withdrawal- no-cause-for-celebration-with-malaysias-anti-tppa-groups/1303305; Bantah TPPA. (2016, January 27). Bantah TPPA’s response to Mustapa’s speech. MalaysiaKini. Retrieved from https://www.malaysiakini.com/ letters/328359. 3 Minister: govt to ratify convention on racial discrimination, five other treaties in q1 2019. (2018, October 25). Malaysia Today. Retreived from https://www.malaysia-today.net/2018/10/25/minister-govt-to- ratify-convention-on-racial-discrimination-five-other-treaties-in-q1- 2019/. 4 Govt not ratifying ICERD. (2018, November 24). The Star Online. Retreived from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/24/ govt-not-ratifying-icerd-we-will-continue-to-defend-federal- constitution-says-pms-office; Malaysia govt says it won’t ratify UN rights treaty after facing anger from malays and muslims. (2018, November 23). The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www. straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-govt-says-wont-ratify-rights- treaty-after-facing-anger-from-malays-and-muslims. 5 Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2019, March 4). Malaysia accedes to the Rome statute of the international criminal court [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/home2/-/asset_publisher/satu_ tab/content/press-release-malaysia-accedes-to-the-rome-statute-of-the- international-criminal-court?inheritRedirect=false. 119 UUMJLS 11(2), July 2020 (117-152) had caught the interests of many, including from the royalty. The signing of the Rome Statute brought condemnation based on few grounds. First, the Rome Statute perceived as encroaching on the position of the monarch and the immunity of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (‘YDPA’). Second, the Government became a subject of criticism for acting against the Federal Constitution when they acceded to the Rome Statute without consulting the Conference of Rulers (COR), whose interests could be jeopardised under the treaty.6 Besides, the Foreign Minister had to brief the YDPA on the latest status and development following the government’s accession to the Rome Statute.7 Relentless pressure ‘forced’ the government to withdraw from the Rome Statute in April 2019, slightly one month after acceding to the treaty. In announcing the government’s decision, Prime Minister Mahathir cited that withdrawal from the Rome Statute was to avoid ‘political confusion’ created by certain groups of people with personal interests.8 The events following the accession to the Rome Statute raised some noteworthy points that require appropriate legal assessment. The role of the YDPA and the Rulers, which constitute the COR, in the making of international treaties became the centre of attention. This is supported by the following facts, namely: a letter was presented to the acting YDPA informing His Royal Highness on the Cabinet’s decision to accede to the Rome Statute; the Minister of Foreign Affairs was called to brief the YDPA on the status of Malaysia’s 6 Malaysia withdraws from the Rome statute. (2019, April 5). The Star Online. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/ nation/2019/04/05/malaysia-withdraws-from-the-rome-statute; Malaysia withdraws from the Rome statute of the international criminal court. (2019, April 5). The Straits Times. Retreived from https://www. straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-withdraws-from-the-rome- statute. 7 Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia. (2019, March 13). Kenyataan akhbar berhubung menteri luar negeri menghadap KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.pmo.gov.my/2019/03/kenyataan-akhbar-berhubung- menteri-luar-negeri-menghadap-kebawah-duli-yang-maha-mulia-seri- paduka-baginda-yang-di-pertuan-agong-kln/. 8 Malaysia withdraws from the Rome statute. (2019, April 5); Malaysia withdraws from the Rome statute of the international criminal court. (2019, April 5). 120 UUMJLS 11(2), July 2020 (117-152) participation in the Rome Statute; and the allegation that the COR was not consulted prior to the signing of the instrument of accession. Accordingly, this paper seeks to reassess the position and the role of the YDPA and the Rulers in the making of international treaties. The study was carried out using library based research method which assessed the provisions from the Federal Constitution, local case(s) and the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969 (‘Vienna Convention 1969’), being
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